New Delhi, Dec 30 (PTI) The mortal remains of the gangrape victim, who lost her brave battle for life in a Singapore hospital yesterday, were consigned to flames here early today away from public glare, shortly after her body was received by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi in the small hours.

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has deeply condoled the passing away of the young girl, rightly being referred to as India’s daughter, in Singapore earlier today. In his condolence message he has said that a young, promising life has been brutally snatched away in most tragic circumstances. Not only has the family has lost a daughter and a sister but every Indian today is feeling the sense of loss as we all had come to identify with the braveheart as she fought valiantly for her life.

He hoped that this heart rending tragedy would compel us as a people to focus on social norms and practices which are violative of human rights and an impediment to progress in the modern world.

Following is the text of Vice President’s condolence message :

I am profoundly saddened at the passing away of the young girl, rightly being referred to as India’s daughter, in Singapore earlier today.

A young, promising life has been brutally snatched away in most tragic circumstances. Not only has the family has lost a daughter and a sister but every Indian today is feeling the sense of loss as we all had come to identify with the braveheart as she fought valiantly for her life.

I hope this heart rending tragedy would compel us as a people to focus on social norms and practices which are violative of human rights and an impediment to progress in the modern world.

My wife and I convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. We pray that the Almighty given them strength and fortitude to withstand their loss. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace in her heavenly abode.

Singapore, Dec 29 (PTI) The 23-year-old victim of the brutal gang rape and assault in Delhi that had triggered an outrage across India died early this morning here after putting up a brave battle for life for nearly a fortnight.
The girl, who was admitted to the well-known multi-organ transplant facility Mount Elizabeth Hospital here on Thursday morning in an extremely critical condition, breathed her last at 4:45 AM (2:15 AM India time).

Ballia (UP), Dec 29 (PTI) A pall of gloom descended on Delhi gang-rape victim’s native Mandwara Kalan village in the district today as soon as the news of her death poured in.
Village head Shiv Mandir Singh said that a condolence meeting was held to pray for the peace of the departed soul.
He also said there was resentment among the locals over the incident with people demanding stern punishment for the accused.

Chennai, Dec 28 (PTI) President Pranab Mukherjee today pitched for improving the standards of higher education by Indian universities and asked the private players also to contribute their best as there were ‘unlimited’ demands and ‘limited’ resources in the sector.

New Delhi, Dec 28 (PTI) The much-awaited decision on Telangana issue will be taken within a month, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced today.

Shinde said he has heard “carefully” the opinions of eight political parties of Andhra Pradesh at a meeting held here today where their representatives suggested that a decision on Telangana should come as early as possible.

New Delhi, Dec 27 (PTI) In a shrill attack on the Centre, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused it of an “unholy nexus” with the erstwhile Left Front government of West Bengal, leaving the state in a “disastrous” financial situation with a debt burden of Rs 2 lakh crore, and warned that patience was running out.

“We have waited for a year and a half but the patience of our people is running out.